Ok Kade, let me address what you posted. These verses and others like at Genesis 17:1-2, Genesis 18 or Judges 2:1 I use to prove that Jesus Christ preexisted His incarnation as a man. The Jw's deny Jesus preexisted and also claim Jesus Christ Himself was created being. They use Proverbs 8:22 and Revelation 3:14, just to name a couple.
Now, to the point! Jesus is not Michael the arc angel and God Almighty at the same time. Jesus created Michael and the Jw's believe Jesus who to them Michael created all the other angels. To the Jw's Jesus is God the Father's first creation. Ask yourself this question? Why does or why would Jesus be Michael, an angel? What purpose would it serve since Jesus Himself as God the Son created the angels and everything else for that matter.
John 1:3, "All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him, (or without Him) nothing came into being that has come into being." Colossians 1:16, "For by Him ALL things were created, (the word all means without exception), both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, (angels are in the heavens, and angels are invisible by nature) whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--ALL things have been created BY Him and for Him."
I mentioned the Jw's use Revelation 3:14 to prove Jesus was created. "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." The Greek word for "beginning" is arche. We get our English word "architect" from this word. What does an architect do? He's the "origin" the planner or the creator of anything that is made. John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:10 back up what Revelation 3:14 means.
Getting back to the angel of the Lord. First of all the angel of the Lord never appears in the New Testament, even though he is mentioned in the NT, by Stephen at Acts 7. Acts 7:2, "And he said, Hear me, brethren and fathers. The God of glory APPEARED to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran." John 17:5, what Jesus said, "And now glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee BEFORE THE WORLD WAS."
I could go on and on explaining about the angel of the Lord and him be Jesus Christ, not Michael, but I want to get to the bottom line. You quoted Genesis 22, one of my favorite chapters. Just before vs 11 Abraham is going to slay his son. Vs11, "But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham! "And he said here I am." Vs12, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me." (Actually Abraham had a son older than Isaac).
Vs15, "Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven. vs16, and said, (the angel of the Lord is speaking here). By Myself I have sworn declares the Lord, because (or why) you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, vs17, "indeed I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall posses the gate of their enemies."
Now look at what the writer of Hebrews says at Hebrews 6:13-14, "For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, HE SWORE BY HIMSELF, vs14, saying, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you."
The point is that an angel cannot swear an oath on behalf of God Himself. Why? Because angels are not greater than God Himself. Therefore, Jesus can't be an angel, let alone Michael the arc angel. Jesus has two natures, one of deity and the other human being. Jesus Christ is God on His Fathers side because it is a universal law that a son shares the same nature as his father. This why Jesus Himself referred to Himself as (1) the Son of God, and (2) the Son of Man."
Everything you stated and all the verses you quoted are just fine, the problem is the conclusion you came up with that Jesus is Michael. And your right, "angel" simply means messenger. The Hebrew word for angel is "malak." Your also right that the word can refer to humans. Malachi 3:1, "Behold, I am going to send My, "malak/angel/messenger" and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the "malak/angel/messenger" of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts."
The person preparing the way of the Lord is John the Baptist, please read Mark 1:1-4. Who do you think is the messenger of the covenant? It sure ain't Michael. Who do you think is coming to His temple? In short, angels cannot multiply descendants, they cannot make covenant's, and they certainly cannot swear oaths on behalf of God Almighty. Does this make sense to you Kade, and you to JRR?
IN GOD THE SON,
jamesh
